# South Carolina dentist CE requirements

> Role-specific continuing education summary for dentists renewing in South Carolina.

URL: https://dentovio.com/ce-requirements/south-carolina/dentist

Last verified: 2026-07-08

Research confidence: high

Educational summary only, not compliance advice. CE hour counts, approved-provider rules, audit rules, and mandatory topics can change. Confirm current instructions with the South Carolina dental board before filing a renewal.

## Direct answer

Dentists in South Carolina: 28 hours / 2 years (14 hours/year). Renewal-cycle notes: Biennial renewal cycle; licenses renew by March 1 of odd-numbered years. Mandatory topics: at least 1 hour biennially in sterilization and infection control (dentists and hygienists); CPR must be renewed/recertified every 2 years and must be live/in-person (SC Reg 39-5(F)). Live-vs-self-study cap: at least 50% of required CE hours MUST be earned via live, in-person attendance (interactive webinars count as live); the remaining up to 50% may be online computer seminars. Controlled-substance prescribers must complete at least 2 hours of controlled-substance prescribing/monitoring CE every 2 years (SC Code 40-15-145). No general jurisprudence CE mandate for renewal. First relicensure period after licensure by exam is exempt. Records retained 3 years. CE reported to CE Broker. Confirm current role-specific requirements with the South Carolina dental board before renewing.

## Renewal cycle and mandatory topics

Biennial renewal cycle; licenses renew by March 1 of odd-numbered years. Mandatory topics: at least 1 hour biennially in sterilization and infection control (dentists and hygienists); CPR must be renewed/recertified every 2 years and must be live/in-person (SC Reg 39-5(F)). Live-vs-self-study cap: at least 50% of required CE hours MUST be earned via live, in-person attendance (interactive webinars count as live); the remaining up to 50% may be online computer seminars. Controlled-substance prescribers must complete at least 2 hours of controlled-substance prescribing/monitoring CE every 2 years (SC Code 40-15-145). No general jurisprudence CE mandate for renewal. First relicensure period after licensure by exam is exempt. Records retained 3 years. CE reported to CE Broker.

## Official board source

- <https://llr.sc.gov/bod/>

## References

- <https://www.ada.org/en/education/licensure/licensure-dental-students>
- <https://llr.sc.gov/bod/renewals.aspx>
- <https://www.llr.sc.gov/bod/pdf/South%20Carolina%20Board%20of%20Dentistry%20Continuing%20Education.pdf>
- <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/Chapter%2039.pdf>
- <https://help.cebroker.com/hc/en-us/articles/15226514070676-South-Carolina-Board-of-Dentistry>

## Related

- [Dentist CE Requirements by State](https://dentovio.com/dentist-ce-requirements/index.html.md)
- [South Carolina dental CE requirements](https://dentovio.com/ce-requirements/south-carolina/index.html.md)
- [South Carolina online dental CE](https://dentovio.com/online-dental-ce/south-carolina/index.html.md)
- [South Carolina dental license renewal CE requirements](https://dentovio.com/ce-requirements/south-carolina/license-renewal/index.html.md)
- [All dental CE requirements by state](https://dentovio.com/ce-requirements/index.html.md)
- [Dental CE hours tracker](https://dentovio.com/tools/ce-tracker)